NIGHT MAIL TO LYTTELTON.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1897, 4 November 1913, Page 8

NIGHT MAIL TO LYTTELTON.

MAPOURIKA USED. THE SCENES AT SAILING TIME. In consequence of the Wahine's seamen having left thoir ship at Wellington, the Union Company uecided to dispatch the jUapouriKa for Lytteltoii. When this decision became known the question arose : What will her firemen doP At first it was thought that the Alapourika s stokehold crew would not put in an appearance, and, during the clay, word was passed to that elfect. Towards eight o'clock passengers commenced to assemble and mails were brought down. Presently .it became known that there were only two liremen on board, and, as her complement is eight firemen and trimmers, the impression grew that she would not get away. . Meanwhile a group of firemen and their secretary discussed the situation, i'rom what could be gathered, it was understood that a section of the firemen were against unionists taking tho Mapourika away. Other councils prevailed, however, • and presently' three men mounted the gangway. Eight o'clock had gone, and still tiio steamer had not left the wharf. The second-engiueer camo down the gangway, followed by a fireman. Both made speed up the wharf, and returned with two more men. 1 During the interval one of the men,on board came ashore. He announced to the crowd that he was not going to "fire the 'Map' to Lyttelton by-himself for a thousand pounds." Just as he had finished speaking the second-engineer came along with two men. As the engineer and his three men commenced to mount the gangway the fireman who had como ashore called out, "Have you got a crowd." "Yes," replied the engineer, "Come on, your're tho last aboard." "Bight, I'll come now," was tho reply, i and the malcontent went.

The gangway was then let down) and everybody expected tho Mapourika to move. She remained,- however, and the crowd waited. The next incident was furnishedi by a man jumping from the fore-defik of the vessel to the wharf. It seemed that he was only 'seeing a frignd off, and had'remained on board too long. Then tho enginerroom telegraph rang, and the vessel 'commenced to move. Even then, however, a fireman mado his appearance at tho ship's side, and she stopped. "Como on, Arthur! Come up here I called a man on tho_Jore-deok of the steamer. - "All right/I'm coming," replied the man. "Givo him a rope. Here's a'rope, Arthur. Tie it round yourself, and wo'll pull you up." "Arthur" did not appear to care much how he got on board, but, with tho help of willing hands, lie was hauled in. The engine-room telegraph again rang, and the. Mapourika moved out at 9.<15 p.m.—three-quarters of an hour late. ' ■ When trouble appeared likely, tho Government 'steamer Hinemoa came slowly up alongside the wharf, and 'berthed opposite to the Mapourika. Sho had been brought round for the purpose v -of taking tho mails south, if the firemen on the Mapourika had refused duty.